As our government recruits hundreds upon thousands of temporary workers to help with the 2010 Census, identity thieves are gearing up for a shopping frenzy.
You’ve seen the posters and heard the ads on both television and radio, “Become a Census worker and make $18 an hour” (pay varies by location). With the unemployment statistics our country is facing this is a great opportunity for many individuals to bring home a paycheck again.
The government has done an excellent job advertising and announcing the upcoming census. Many individuals have taken advantage of the opportunity and have jobs now (even if temporary), the majority of citizens have some sense of awareness of the upcoming event and identity thieves have been able to strategize how they will take full advantage of citizens who have their guard down.
As we all expect to be contacted in some way by government officials this coming year, NO ONE should let down their guard when giving out personal information.
Currently, Census workers are only verifying addresses. In March 2010, you should receive the 2010 Census forms in the mail. Workers will visit the homes of those who have not returned the forms by the April 1, 2010 deadline.
Below are some tips to remember when filling out Census forms and/or speaking with Census workers.
· All census workers carry official government badges marked with their name. You can also ask for a second identification to compare to the government badge. Never answer questions until you have seen the ID badge.
· Currently census workers are only knocking on doors to verify address information. No other information should be asked of you until March 2010 when the census forms are mailed.
· Any request for census information from the Census Bureau will be clearly marked as coming from the U.S. Census Bureau and as OFFICIAL BUSINESS of the United States.
· The Census Bureau will never ask for your Social Security number, bank account numbers, and/or credit card numbers.
· Census workers will never under any circumstances ask to enter your home.
· Census workers will never ask for any information to be submitted online or through email.
By Stacey Jimenez at 7:03:34 Comments: 0
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